I have 3 Epi's (JB Les Paul, 339 and Wilshire) and three Gibsons (Traditional LP, 2 doublecuts w/P90's)...each is different in their own right...I never look at them in terms of difference of price but in terms of sound...
What he said. I've got an Epi Sheraton (1962 Anniversary model = out of the box with USA parts, Gibby mini-bucks etc = theoretically nicer than your average Sherry) and a Gibson 335 Studio. The Gibby cost twice as much. There are things I like about each that I think are better than the other. The Epi has those mini-buckers in it, so I think it has a (I'm never sure how to describe it so I'll say) smoothness that none of my others have. It's got a really nice sound. The Gibby has those 57 Classics in it, and I think everyone on the forum likes the sound of those. Two different guitars, two different sounds and I like them both. When I reach over to grab one and play it, its cost doesn't cross my mind.
Some folks think really expensive guitars are worth it. Others don't. Martin recently made that 2-millionth edition guitar that was selling for $150k. Ugly as heck to me, and, although I love me a D-45, I'd never pay that much for one no matter what anniversary it commemorates. But somebody, somewhere will see some value in it and buy it. Value is in the pocketbook of the buyer.
Back to the original question, the easy answer for me would be to say to aim to split the difference 50/50. If you want new, get a good mid-level guitar or a little bit nicer one that's used, and be sure that you leave enough to be sure that it's setup properly. Then aim to spend what's left on a good, little tube amp. That'd be my easy answer. BTW - I'm not a cork sniffer (I have tube amps, SS amps, and hybrid amps), I just believe that I consistently hear that something in my tube amps that I don't always hear in the others, and you can easily get one for under 5 bills now.
Problem is there are all kinds of variables to consider. Like some of the others have said, you might spend one way if you're planning on doing most of your playing at the hacienda or you might spend another way if you plan on getting with some buddies to jam or play out at all. As an advanced beginner, if you already have a guitar that plays well and an amp that sounds good, treat yourself to a pedal or something, and then, like some of the others have said, grab a good recorder if you don't have one and invest in a local teacher for a bit. Not taking anything from Griff, but someone local can give you a little direction, hold you accountable to actually practice, and give you feedback on how you're doing in real time.
